Located at Saint-Jeoirein the heart of Haute-Savoie, room for the future college Gaspard Monge. If the establishment already exists, a new secondary education infrastructure will emerge in 2026.
Built in 1983, the old building no longer met environmental standards, summer and winter insulation, as well as “modern operation”underlines Martial Saddierpresident of the Department of Haute-Savoie. Faced with this problem, two choices were available to the community: either the renovation of the entire building, or a total reconstruction, supported by a global performance contract.
Gaspard Monge College: rebuilding rather than renovating
“The restructuring of the college required cutting it over four years and closing 25% of the building each yearexplains Martial Saddier. If we had chosen the first option, a kid entering sixth grade would have undergone work until the end of third grade. It’s uncomfortable and it’s even hell for the Department. We would mobilize teams of engineers over four years. In terms of cost, of course, the solution of rebuilding a building is more expensive, but in terms of cost-benefit, we are there.”
The Department and the commune of Saint-Jeoire therefore agreed on the acquisition of adjoining land to the east of the current college: an almost empty plot capable of accommodating the new 11 000 m². The first shovels should be given in November 2024 to ensure a return to the new premises in 2026.
A more efficient college for 2026
Delivery of the sports complex (gymnasium) is planned for 2027. It will be accompanied by a sports platform on grass with an athletics track around it, obligatory according to national education specifications. Once this step has been completed, theold building will be demolished. The reorganization of the college will also involve rethinking its exteriors and access. Shared with the multipurpose room and a tennis court, the bus station will therefore be recreated as will the school canteen shared with the other education centers.
To make it energy efficient, the project relies on 2 000 m3 wood (floors, framework and framework), on the use of straw as insulation and the installation of solar panels. “We also have nearly 8,000 tonnes of materials reused with the aim of being the first college in France to achieve the Circolab label.” To maintain a local footprint, 65% of the contract amount is entrusted to SMEs and artisans.
“We have the highest rate of students per middle school in France!”
When the reconstruction of the Gaspard Monge college was announced, Martial Saddier warned of the need to renew the density of places per college. With 530 middle school students per school on average, the Department’s objective is to relieve congestion in certain establishments. The departmental council therefore plans to completely renovate 14 colleges while 13 others will be built until 2028. It will pay a billion eurosincluding 110 million in 2024 and 38.7 million for Gaspard Monge college.
